Writing in other voices is almost Japanese in the sense that theres a certain formality there which allows me to sidestep the embarrassment of directly expressing to complete strangers the most intimate details of my life.

I was the oldest child, and both my parents worked, so I had a great deal of responsibility from a very young age.

You have to defend your honor. And your family.

The first song I wrote was the first song I remember thinking, "Well, maybe I can do something here." The very first one. By the second one I knew I could do something.

I still feel conflicted because I don't always get to spend as much time with my daughter as I'd like, given my work.

Don't make a threat and then not do it.

I was always inventing characters and making up stories.